About the boat
About St. Mary's Boat
The boat
A classic Alappuzha motor boat
St. Mary’s Boat is one of the motor boats that work the waterways around Punnamada, the backwater stretch just outside Alappuzha town. She is a passenger boat: a timber cabin below, a wide covered deck above, and open sides that keep the water in view from almost every seat.
The design is practical for Kerala’s climate. The roof gives shade through the middle of the day, the open railings let the breeze through, and the cabin offers shelter when the weather turns. It is a boat made for a few hours of slow sightseeing rather than for living aboard.
Because she is a motor boat and not a houseboat, a cruise with St. Mary’s Boat is a day trip. If you are looking for an overnight stay on the water, that is a different kind of booking, and we say so plainly rather than blur the distinction.
Verified details
- Punnamada, Alappuzha, Kerala, India
- +91 77361 01349
Passenger capacity, cruise durations, operating hours and fares are not published here. They are confirmed by the operator for each enquiry.
On board
What you can see for yourself
These are visual features of the boat, described as they appear — not claims about onboard service.
Covered upper deck
The upper deck is roofed in timber and ringed by a railing, which is where most passengers settle for the view.
Wooden cabin
Louvred timber panels and shuttered windows give the main cabin its character and shelter from spray and sun.
Cream hull, red waterline
A cream-painted hull with a deep red band at the waterline is the boat's most recognisable detail from the shore.
Passenger motor boat
A day-cruise motor boat with an engine, not a houseboat. There are no bedrooms, kitchens or overnight facilities on board.
The waters
Punnamada and the Alappuzha backwaters
Punnamada is part of the Alappuzha backwater system that runs through Kuttanad, the belt of paddy country where fields are farmed below the level of the canals around them. Coconut palms, small jetties and waterside homes line the banks, and country boats share the channels with motor boats.
It is a landscape that changes with the season and the light. Early mornings tend to be calmer and cooler; late afternoons bring warmer light across the water. What you see on any given cruise depends on the route and conditions the operator confirms with you.